Stop Pouting. Start Preaching.

You know those days when you wake up wired? When you're brimming over with excitement and anticipation? When everything just seems to line up and your world cooperates with you? 

And you know those other moments... the deep, dark valleys in which you find yourself barely able to put one foot in front of the other? The seasons in which hope is elusive and you'd rather just pull the covers up over your head until it all passes over?

Been there. In both seasons. And I'll share with you something I've learned over the years. I've learned to preach. To my soul. Not the consoling, gentle, patient kind of preaching, but the why are you so downcast, O my soul?! Put your hope in God! kind of preaching. 

You know what kind of preaching your soul needs. Regardless of the style... Preach! And don't let up until your soul emerges from the valley. 

Sometimes, life sucks. Sometimes, it all just really disappoints. But don't get stuck there. And, whatever you do, don't let bitterness get a foothold! Winston Churchill is quoted as saying, "If you're walking through hell, keep walking." (I'd add exclamation points to the end of that. But then, I get pretty passionate.) 

Not too long ago, I preached long across the pages of my journal. Feeling stuck in a few areas of my life, I pleaded for God to come rescue me from a pit. Psalm 18:1-18 is scrawled in desperate strokes.

Redemption and rescue are some of His specialties. In fact, He's relentless in His pursuit. He'll move mountains to come get you. I know from experience. (Really, I'm telling you, Psalm 18:1-18... preach that to your soul.)

Where are you right now? Are you wired? Excited? Or do you need to preach a soul-stirring sermon to yourself? To put a last shred of hope in the One who will move mountains to come rescue you?

"But you will not need to fight! Take your places; stand quietly and see the incredible rescue operation God will perform for you, O people of Judah and Jerusalem! Don't be afraid or discouraged! Go out there tomorrow, for the Lord is with you!"   

~ 2 Chronicles 20:17 (TLB)